When I read A Touch of Darkness on vacation four months ago, I couldn't imagine reading the series again but from Hade's perspective. I didn't see the point.
As it turns out, I was wrong. I just needed to give myself enough time in between the books to start missing the characters. Once that happened, I picked up A Game of Fate, inhaled it in a day, and hung on every single word just as I did the first time around. (Kindle | Kobo | Paperback)
Now that I have, I'm happy to share what I know for future readers like yourself who have come here looking for answers to your questions. On top of that, I've also provided you with a list of five books like A Game of Fate to consider reading next. (Warning: This article contains spoilers)
What Is the Book A Game of Fate by Scarlett St. Clair About?
The book A Game of Fate is about the myth of Hades and Persephone, told from Hade's perspective. It is the counterpart to the wildly popular book, A Touch of Darkness. Here is the official description:
"Hades, God of the Underworld, is known for his inflexible rule, luxurious night clubs, and impossible bargains. Use to control, he is not prepared to discover the Fates have chosen his future wife and Queen—Persephone, Goddess of Spring.
Despite her attraction to the god, Persephone, an ambitious journalism student, is determined to expose Hades for his cruel and ruthless ways.
Hades finds himself faced with the impossible—proving his future bride wrong. Despite his efforts, there are forces who wish to keep the two apart and Hades comes to realize he will do anything for his forbidden love, even defy Fate."
How Long Does It Take to Read A Game of Fate?
It will take the average reader approximately 6 hours to read A Game of Fate by Scarlett St. Clair, according to How Long to Read.
How Spicy is A Game of Fate? What Are the Spicy Chapters?
A Game of Fate is just as spicy as A Touch of Darkness, which if you read that book first, you know it's Spicy with a capital S. In fact, if you're looking for them, the spicy chapters in A Game of Fate are chapters XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XVIII, and XXIX.
Can I Read A Game of Fate Before A Touch of Darkness?
Yes - Technically, you can read A Game of Fate before A Touch of Darkness, given that they're both the same story, just told from two different perspectives. However, it is worth mentioning that this is not the order the author, Scarlett St. Clair, wrote them intending to be read in. For the official order according to her, refer to the next question.
In What Order Should I Read Scarlett St. Clair's Books?
If you're trying to figure out what order to read Scarlett St. Clair's books in, you're in luck because the author herself has clarified the official order in which she intended for readers to read the books from the Persephone x Hades and Hades Saga books in:
A Touch of Darkness (Persephone's POV, Book 1)
A Game of Fate (Hade's POV, Book 1)
A Touch of Ruin (Persephone's POV, Book 2)
A Game of Retribution (Hade's POV, Book 2)
A Touch of Malice (Persephone's POV, Book 3)
A Game of Gods (Hade's POV, Book 3)
A Touch of Chaos (Persephone's POV, Book 4)
Does A Game of Fate Have a Happy Ending?
Yes - A Game of Fate has a happy ending! After Aphrodite tells Persephone about the bargain she struck with Hades, the two get into a fight. During which, Persephone fulfills the terms of her own bargain with Hades when he goads her into finally unleashing her magic. In doing so, she creates life and is set free. She subsequently leaves the Underworld. The two remain apart and heartbroken for several weeks before Hecate tells Hades it's time to go and get Persephone back. When he arrives at the coffee shop where Persephone is meeting with Hecate, Persephone spots Hades and immediately runs to him. Hades finally professes his love for her and invites her back to the Underworld. An offer which she happily accepts.
5 Books Like A Game of Fate by Scarlett St. Clair
Obviously, you can't find a book more similar to A Game of Fate than A Touch of Darkness and the other three books in the Hades x Persephone series. However, if you're hoping to find other books like A Game of Fate outside of the series, then you'll be happy to hear that I have five solid recommendations that are worth checking out for your next read.
1. Receiver of Many by Rachel Alexander
While you might not have heard of Rachel Alexander's Persephone and Hades retelling, it's one that seems to show up on every Reddit forum discussing the topic. In fact, many claim Receiver of Many is an ideal follow-up to A Game of Fate/A Touch of Darkness. Here's the description: "Hades's life has been one of solitude in the somber land of the dead: the God of the Underworld, he lives without attachments, eternally governing the souls of mortals. But he dreams of the young goddess who was promised to be his wife, and knows it is time for his Kingdom to have a Queen. When Hades arrives to claim his betrothed, he finds a young goddess eager to unearth her divine potential— and a powerful mother unwilling to let go. Receiver of Many begins an erotic story of passion and possession, duty and desire, and a struggle that threatens both ancient Greece and the Realm of the Dead itself."
2. Drag Me Up by R.M. Virtues
Now you want to talk about an underrated Hades and Persephone retelling. If so, Drag Me Up by R.M. Virtues would be it. While you already know the outline of the story, this description should give you a better sense of what this particular retelling is about and make it clear the similarities between it and A Game of Fate: "She belongs in the spotlight... And Persephone clawed her way out of Demeter’s shadow to reach it. Now she’s the lead in Calliope’s Cirque production but not without great cost, and there is not enough money in the world to pay off the debt accrued for the simple mistake of trusting Zeus. Landing a residency at the legendary Casino Asphodel though is everything she trained for. What she didn't expect was to meet the man she’d been convinced didn’t exist. Hades wasn’t prepared either and it quickly becomes evident that they’re a force when together. But when Zeus ups the stakes, they must be willing to go all in, even if it means coming down from the sky. Or stepping into the light."
3. A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Now that you have two solid options that are specifically about the Persephone and Hades myth, I want to introduce you to A Promise of Fire. While it's not a direct retelling, it absolutely follows the general story of A Game of Fate, which you can see for yourself in this description: "Cat Fisa is perfectly content disguised in a traveling circus, avoiding the destiny of the Gods. As far as she's concerned, the magic humming within her blood can live and die with her. But then she locks eyes with an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south. Griffin knows Cat is the Kingmaker - the woman able to divine truth through lies - and he wants her to be a powerful weapon for his realm. Kidnapping her off the street is simple enough, but keeping her by his side is infuriatingly tough. Can he ever hope to prove to his once-captive that he wants her there by his side as his equal, his companion—and maybe someday, his Queen?"
4. River of Shadows by Karina Halle
Did you know that there is a myth in Finnish mythology that is essentially equivalent to the Hades and Persephone myth from Greek mythology? Well, there is and River of Shadows is a retelling of that myth. Read what it's about and you'll quickly see the similarities it bears to A Game of Fate: "When Hanna Heikkinen's estranged father dies, she reluctantly makes the trip to Northern Finland for his funeral. There she is told that her father was a powerful shaman who went into Tuonela, the Realm of the Dead, to barter for more life and has been held captive by Tuoni, the God of Death. The only way her father can be freed is if she goes there to free him herself. Unfortunately, upon her arrival, Hanna is captured by the God of Death. He makes her a bargain: Marry him and spend an eternity in the Realm of the Dead as his wife. In exchange, he'll set her father free. But even the most noble sacrifices come with hidden costs, and Hanna's might involve the most unexpected of all things: her heart."
5. Neon Gods by Katee Robert
I, as many other BookToker's and Bookstagrammar's did, assumed that because Neon Gods and A Game of Fate/A Touch of Darkness were both about the Persephone and Hades myth, they would be very similar. While there's no doubt they are in some ways, they read as two very different books. Don't worry though, they're equal in terms of spice. If this has you intrigued, read the description. to get a sense of what Neon Gods is about: "Society darling Persephone plans to leave the modern city of Olympus, however, things change when her mother secretly arranges an engagement between her and Zeus. With no options left, Persephone flees to the forbidden undercity - Hades. Hades has spent his life in the shadows, and he has no intention of stepping into the light. But when he finds that Persephone can offer a little slice of the revenge he’s spent years craving, it’s all the excuse he needs to help her - for a price. Yet every breathless night spent tangled together has given Hades a taste for Persephone, and he’ll go to war with Olympus itself to keep her close…"